Shirley Strachan facts for kids

Graeme Ronald Strachan (pronounced "Strawn") (2 January 1952 – 29 August 2001) was an Australian singer, songwriter, and TV and radio host. He was also a carpenter. Most people knew him as "Shirley" Strachan or just Shirl. He was the lead singer for the famous rock band Skyhooks from 1974 to 1978, and he also joined them for special shows later on.

While with Skyhooks, Shirley also had his own hit songs. These included a cover of "Every Little Bit Hurts" in 1976 and "Tracks of My Tears" in 1977. After leaving Skyhooks in 1978, he focused on his solo music. He became well-known to children as the host of the TV show Shirl's Neighbourhood (1979–1983). Later, from 1993, he appeared on the home renovation TV show Our House as a carpenter and co-host. In 1993, Skyhooks was honored by being added to the ARIA Hall of Fame. Shirley Strachan sadly died in August 2001 in a helicopter accident.

Biography

Early Life

Graeme Strachan was born in Malvern, Victoria, Australia, on 2 January 1952. He grew up in Mount Waverley. He was the oldest child and had three younger sisters. His father, Ronald, was a carpenter and a former Navy sailor.

Shirley loved to surf. His friends gave him the nickname "Shirley" because his long, curly, sun-bleached hair reminded them of the child star Shirley Temple. He went to Mount Waverley High School and later became a qualified carpenter. Shirley was also a big fan of the Hawthorn Football Club in the AFL.

Music Career with Skyhooks

Shirley Strachan met drummer "Freddy" Strauks at a music show in 1970. The next year, Strauks and bassist Greg Macainsh asked Shirley to join their band, which was then called Frame. Shirley was the lead singer. At their first show in April 1971, Shirley was so shy that he stood facing the band instead of the audience!

In 1972, Shirley left Frame to focus on surfing and carpentry on Phillip Island. He loved the simple life there, saying he would surf, work a bit, and then surf again. While he was away, Greg Macainsh and Freddy Strauks started a new band called Skyhooks in 1973. In March 1974, Shirley joined Skyhooks as their new lead singer.

Music experts described Shirley as a "natural frontman." He was young, talented, funny, and had a powerful voice. He also looked unique. One journalist said that Shirley learned to move around the stage like a "maniac," and he became very confident. In 1975, Skyhooks went on a huge tour across Australia. They also toured the United States, even opening for the band Uriah Heep.

Shirley also started his own solo music career while still with Skyhooks. In October 1976, he released his first solo song, a cover of "Every Little Bit Hurts." It became a big hit, reaching number 3 on the Australian music charts. His next solo song, "Tracks of My Tears," came out in July 1977 and reached number 18.

By 1978, Skyhooks was having some difficulties, and Shirley decided to leave the band in July. He was replaced by Tony Williams. Shirley released another solo song called "Mr Summer" in 1978, but it wasn't a big hit.

After Skyhooks: Shirl's Neighbourhood

After leaving Skyhooks, Shirley became a popular TV and radio host. Many children knew him as the friendly host of Shirl's Neighbourhood, a fun children's TV show that ran from 1979 to 1983. In 1980, he released his first solo album, It's all Rock 'n' Roll to Me. Shirl's Neighbourhood even won an award for Best Children's TV Series in 1983. Shirley also joined Skyhooks for several reunion shows in the 1980s and 1990s.

The Party Boys, Radio, and Our House

In 1984, Shirley joined a rock supergroup called the Party Boys. He sang lead vocals on their live album, No Song Too Sacred. The band also released a cover of Led Zeppelin's song "Kashmir."

In March 1993, Skyhooks was honored by being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. This is a special award for important Australian musicians. That same year, Shirley moved to Queensland. He started working on the home renovation TV show Our House. On the show, he used his carpentry skills that he learned before he became a singer. He also hosted a breakfast radio show on Triple M Brisbane in the 1990s. Shirley left Triple M in 1997.

Death

Shirley Strachan died in a helicopter accident on 29 August 2001, when he was 49 years old. He had been a pilot for many years and was training to fly helicopters. He wanted to buy a helicopter to take his friends and family on surfing trips. He was on a solo flight near Mount Archer, Queensland, when his helicopter crashed.

Tributes

In early September 2001, Shirley's family and friends held a funeral for him by the beach. His wife, Sue, scattered his ashes into the sea from a helicopter.

His former radio station, Triple M Brisbane, played old recordings of him all day after his death. An episode of the TV show Long Way to the Top, which featured Skyhooks, was shown on the day he died and was dedicated to him. On 10 September, Channel Nine showed a special tribute episode of Our House called "Our House – Memories of Shirl." It included footage filmed before he died and old clips. This show was watched by many people.

In September 2001, the remaining members of Skyhooks reunited for a special memorial concert in St Kilda. Other singers like Daryl Braithwaite and Ross Wilson joined them on stage.

Shirley Strachan Memorial Swim

The Noosa Heads Surf Lifesaving Club has held a special swimming event called the Annual Shirley Strachan Memorial Swim for over 15 years. It honors Shirley Strachan's love for surfing. Since 2016, after one of the organizers, Bruce Warren, passed away, the event is now called the Shirley Strachan and Bruce Warren Memorial Swim.

Discography

Studio Albums

Singles

Other Singles